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What Can I Do With My Meteorite?
DanCracker asks: "I've just inherited a 34 lb metorite from my grandfather. As a child, I was alwasy fascinated by it, but never developed my intrest. As much as this means to me, I've got little need nor room for such a thing. What is the next course of action I should take? Contact labs or universities? Post it on eBay? Help!"
I bet it's got a little blob inside. Careful or it'll devour your entire town.
As much as this means to me, I've got little need nor room for such a thing.
At the risk of looking like a sentimental wimp, I suggest that you reconsider your decision to part with it. It is, and will always be, a reminder of your grandfather. Now, if you never liked the old guy, you should dump it. But if you would like a permanent reminder of him, this meteroite is a unique tribute. Although you may not have any particular "need" for it now, you may regret your decision to part with this unusual family heirloom 10, 20, 30+ years down the line. And every time someone comes to your house and sees it, they will ask you about it. That will give you the opportunity to pause and remember your grandfather, if only for a second.
It's your choice but I encourage you to try to think beyond your immediate needs and consider the long-term effects of your decision. Once it's gone, it's gone for good.
GMD
watch this
To expand a little...
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1) Research it. When did your Grandfather get it? Are there local news clippings of the strike? Where was it found? Try to get the provenance a la Antiques Roadshow.
2)Get it appraised - and NOT on "Ask Slashdot"! Do some research and get a real appraiser to look at it. Try the net for general info - Google coughed up
http://www.lunar-meteorite.com/frontnew.htm
an
http://www.mhmeteorites.com/
(forewarned - paid links, but look relevant).
Call the local university or astronomy club or observatory for references.
3) Safeguard it while you do your research. Suggest getting a large safe deposit box at your local bank. Now that you've broadcast that you have it to the world, best keep it safe.
After you've determined its monetary value, you can weigh it against its sentimental value and decide. Researching its history might increase it's sentimental value, and make it into something you don't want to part with.
"As God is my witness, I thought turkeys could fly." A. Carlson
This item will most likely not get more valuable as time passes, so if you wish to make any monetary gain on it, the sooner you sell it the more money you make on it. Now, in the short run this may not be true, but as privitized space programs start becoming more prevailent, meteorites are going to become 'common' items. A meteorite is merely a piece of rock thats been moving through space for a while; there's a lot of them out there, we just don't have immediate access. Once companies can easily procure such items, they will start selling them to labs in record speed. Unless they pull some sort of 'diamond-mining' scheme, prices will drop. So in short, do not depend upon the meteor as a longterm investment.
"What can a thoughtful man hope for mankind on Earth, given the experience of the past million years? Nothing." -Bokonon
Sounds like it could make for one hell of a casemod!